ISSUANCE OF TRAVEL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE FOR A MINOR

I. Program Overview

A DSWD Travel Clearance is a document issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Offices to a Filipino child age below 18 years of age, regardless of civil status, leaving the Philippines alone or with someone other than his or her parents. Philippine law requires minor children who are traveling abroad without their parents to obtain a DSWD Travel Clearance, which is a safeguard against the trafficking, exploitation, child labor and abuse and discrimination of Filipino children. Under the passage of Republic Act 7610, it is the paramount responsibility of the State to safeguard and protect the rights of every Filipino minor as stated in the Convention on the Rights of a Child. The Administrative Order No. 12 series of 2017 serves as omnibus guidelines for minor’s travelling abroad. Therefore, child trafficking will be prevented. A DSWD Travel Clearance is valid for a period of one (1) year up to (2) years from the date of issuance and shall be valid for multiple travels within the validity period, provided the conditions under which the DSWD Travel Clearance was issued have not changed. If a change in condition occurs like a change in traveling companion, a new DSWD Travel Clearance must be obtained.

II. Target Beneficiaries

Minors Travelling Abroad

III. Eligibility Requirements

  1. Minors below 18 of age
  2. Filipino Citizen
  3. Minor’s residing within Region 1

IV. Documentary Requirements

  1. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS- 1st time alone FOR A MINOR /S TRAVELLING ALONE TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY FOR THE FIRST TIME:
    1. Duly Accomplished MTA Application Form
    2. Assessment Report from the Local Social Welfare & Development Office (LSWDO) or SWO II of the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD)Team when necessary;
    3. A photocopy of the Birth Certificate on security paper (SECPA) from PSA
    4. Photocopy of the Marriage Certificate on security paper (SECPA) of the minor’s parents or a Certificate of  Legal Guardianship, in the case of solo parent, a photocopy of the Solo Parent identification card from LSWDO or a certification of being a solo parent (assessment report of the LSWDO  as attachment), a court decree of separation, annulment or divorce, in case of illegitimate minor , a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR ) from PSA, if applicable in case of deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate;
    5. Notarized (notarized at the place of residence) affidavit consent of both parents the solo parent and the legal guardian, whichever is applicable, permitting the minor to travel to a foreign country
    6. Waiver from the parents releasing DSWD from any liability/responsibility in case of untoward incident during the travel of the child
    7. Two (2) original colored passport size photos (white, red or blue background) of the minor taken within the last 6 months from the time of application. No scanned picture is allowed
    8. Affidavit of support & certified copy of any evidence to show financial capability of sponsor (parents/legal guardian or other person/agency shouldering the expenses) such as: 1 Certificate of employment 2 Latest income 3..  Bank statement etc.   
    9. Unaccompanied Minor certificate from the Airlines1
      NOTE: No minor below 13 years of age shall be allowed to travel alone, 13 below 18 years old certificate from the airlines is needed
  2. FOR SUCCEEDING TRAVEL OF UNACCOMPANIED OR TRAVELING ALONE TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY
    1. Duly Accomplished MTA Application Form
    2. Notarized affidavit or written consent of both parents the  solo parent and the legal guardian, whichever is applicable, with a copy of the valid identification card I.Ds  or passport with  specimen signature;
    3. Original copy of the Previous Travel Clearance issued;
    4. Two (2) original colored passport size photos (white, red or blue background) of the minor taken within the last 6 months from the time of application. No scanned picture is allowed
    5. Unaccompanied Minor certificate from the Airlines. NOTE: No minor below 13 years of age shall be allowed to travel alone, 13-below 18 years old certificate from the airlines is needed,
    6. Waiver from the parents releasing DSWD from any liability/responsibility in case of untoward incident during the travel of the child
  3. FOR A MINOR /S TRAVELLING FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH A PERSON OTHER THAN THE PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIAN:
    1. Duly Accomplished MTA Application Form
    2. A photocopy of  Birth Certificate  of the Minor (SECPA);
    3. Notarized affidavit of both parents the  solo parent and the legal guardian, whichever is applicable, with a copy of the valid identification card I.Ds  or passport with  specimen signature;
    4. Photocopy of the Marriage Certificate on security paper (SECPA) of the minor’s parents or a Certificate of  Legal Guardianship, in the case of solo parent, a photocopy of the Solo Parent identification card from LSWDO or a certification of being a solo parent (assessment report of the LSWDO  as attachment), a court decree of separation, annulment or divorce, in case of illegitimate minor , a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR ) from PSA, if applicable in case of deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate;
    5. Two (2) original colored passport size photos (white, red or blue background) of the minor taken within the last 6 months from the time of application. No scanned picture is allowed
    6. Photocopy of the PASSPORT of the minor’s Travelling Companion.
    7. In case of deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate (PSA)
  4. FOR A MINOR TRAVELLING SUBSEQUENTLY WITH A PERSON OTHER THAN HIS/ HER PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIAN:
    1. Duly Accomplished MTA Application Form
    2. Original copy of the Previous Travel Clearance issued;
    3. Notarized affidavit of consent from biological parent/s guardian authorizing a particular person to accompany the child his/her travel abroad, with a copy of the valid identification card I.Ds  or passport with  specimen signature;
      In the Parental Consent Form please indicate the following:
      • Acknowledge that you are the Parent/ Legal Guardian
      • Residential Address
      • Purpose of travel and Duration of Stay
      • Country of Destination     
      • Name of Traveling companion
    4. Two (2) original colored passport size photos (white, red or blue background) of the minor taken within the last 6 months from the time of application. No scanned picture is allowed
    5. Photocopy of the passport of the minor’s travelling companion

Additional requirements for minor/s under special circumstances.

Death certificate of parents if Deceased (PSA)

For a Filipino minor migrating to another country

  • Visa petition

For a minor who will study abroad

  • Acceptance or certification of Enrollment or Registration from the school where minor is to be enrolled

For a minor who will attend conference, study tours, Competition, student Exchange Program, Summer camp, pilgrimage, World Youth Day and other related activities::

  • Certification from sponsoring organization
  • Affidavit of undertaking of companion indicating the safety measures undertaken by the sports agency ( for sports competition)
  • Signed invitation from the sponsoring agency/organization abroad with itinerary of travel and list of participants and duration of the activity/travel

For minor going abroad for medical purposes

  • Medical abstract of the minor
  • Recommendation from the attending physician that such medical procedure is not available in the country, letter from sponsor

For a minor going abroad for inter-country adoption

  • Placement authority issued by the ICAB
  • Authority to Escort issued by the ICAB

For a minor under Foster care

  • Notarized affidavit of undertaking by the Foster Parents indicating purpose of travel, destination, duration of travel and a provision stating the commitment of the Foster Parent on the personal appearance of child and foster parents to the Regional Director or his/ her duly authorized representative, within 5 days upon return to the country;
  • Notarized Affidavit of Consent from the Regional Director or authorized representative
  • Photocopy of Foster Placement Authority; (original copy to be attached for verification
  • Photocopy of Foster Care License of the family; (original copy to be attached for verification)
  • DSWD Certification of Child Legally available for adoption (CDCLAA), EXCEPT those under kinship care where in their parents did not relinquish the minor for adoption
  • Return Ticket/s

For minor under legal guardianship

  • Certified True copy of Court Order on Legal Guardianship

For minor/s whose parent/s are seafarers

  • A certification from the manning agency attesting to the parent’s employment
  • Photocopy of seaman’s Book

For abandoned minor with alleged missing parent, if parents are married, the following shall be the requirements:

  • Social Case Study report (SCSR) executed by a licensed social worker of the local  government unit
  • Blotter report from either the local police or barangay certification from the locality or the last known address of the alleged missing; and
  • One (1) returned registered mail to the last known address of the alleged missing parent (s) or known relative(s)

V. Contact Person/s

CLARIVEL C. BANZUELA
Social Welfare Officer V / Chief, Statutory Programs Division
(072) 687-8000 loc. 219
Telefax: (072) 888-2505
opd.fo1@dswd.gov.ph

LEORELLI JOY G. LOPEZ
Social Welfare Officer II / Travel Concerns Unit
(072) 687-8000 loc. 241
Telefax: (072) 888-2505
mta.fo1@dswd.gov.ph

VI. Legal Bases

MTA BROCHURE

https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2003/ra_9208_2003.html
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1992/ra_7610_1992.html
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1996/11/22/republic-act-no-8239/
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1998/ra_8552_1998.html
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2009/03/12/republic-act-no-9523/
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2012/ra_10165_2012.html
https://www.dswd.gov.ph/issuances/AOs/AO_2017-012.pdf
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2013/01/18/republic-act-no-10361/
https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2003/ra_9231_2003.html